110: Chapter 110 Star Marrow Tempering the Soul, Enlightenment Through Array Diagrams

The first cup of star marrow wine far exceeded Lin Yue's expectations.

The wine transformed into a warm stream of starlight that surged into his Sea of Consciousness. His originally dormant Divine Soul seemed infused with vitality, slowly expanding and solidifying.

The Divine Soul of an ordinary Cultivator is formless and intangible, only vaguely perceptible, at most condensing into a 'Divine Soul Phantom' during a major Realm Breakthrough.

But at this moment, nourished by the star marrow wine, Lin Yue clearly 'saw' his own Divine Soul—it was a mass of pale golden light mist, its outline vaguely human-shaped, seated cross-legged at the center of his Sea of Consciousness.

On the surface of the light mist, fine starlight specks flowed, resonating distantly with the starlight particles in the Starfall Lake within his grotto-heaven.

"Master, seize this Opportunity to draw upon the starlight spiritual fluid from Starfall Lake for dual internal and external tempering."

Hao Tian's voice sounded at the opportune moment.

Lin Yue focused his mind. The three drops of starlight spiritual fluid that had just condensed within his grotto-heaven pierced through spatial barriers, directly dripping onto the center of his forehead.

The spiritual fluid merged with the warm stream from the star marrow wine, transforming into a more refined Power of the Stars Origin, washing over every corner of his Divine Soul.

This process lasted a full two hours.

When the last trace of warm flow was absorbed, Lin Yue's Divine Soul light mist had transformed from pale gold to a brilliant starry gold, and its volume had expanded by thirty percent!

Even more wondrously, at the center of the Divine Soul light mist's forehead, a tiny star mark appeared.

Each time the mark flickered, Lin Yue's perception of the Power of the Stars became clearer.

"Divine Soul strength has been elevated to the Late Golden Core Stage level."

Hao Tian assessed, "Moreover, due to the dual tempering of star marrow wine and starlight spiritual fluid, Master's Comprehension Ability regarding star-related Cultivation Techniques and Formations has increased by approximately fifty percent. The efficiency of comprehending the Star Array Diagram will now be greatly enhanced."

Lin Yue opened his eyes.

The world appeared different in his eyes.

The free-flowing Spiritual Qi in the air, which he could only vaguely sense before, now appeared to him like flowing ribbons. Especially the minuscule traces of star Spiritual Qi mixed within, which were as clear and visible as fireflies.

He could even faintly perceive the Spiritual Qi fluctuation frequencies at several earth vein nodes a hundred miles away.

This was the benefit of a powerful Divine Soul—sharper perception, faster deduction, and deeper understanding of the laws of heaven and earth.

"Continue."

He did not pause, taking out that scroll of the Star Array Diagram.

The array diagram was made from some unknown beast hide, its texture warm and smooth like jade. Unfurled, it measured three chi long and two chi wide, with seventeen complex Formation patterns drawn in silver star sand.

At the very center was precisely the detailed diagram of the star node arrangement for the 'Nine Heavens Demon Suppression Grand Array.'

Lin Yue's Divine Soul power permeated the array diagram.

In an instant, he felt as if he were placed within a vast starry sky.

Countless stars flowed, combined, and arranged before his eyes, forming various profound trajectories. Each trajectory corresponded to a type of Formation variation; each combination contained the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.

"First Formation: Seven Stars Spirit Protection Formation."

The patterns drawn in star sand came to life in his Sea of Consciousness. Seven star phantoms floated, connected to each other by starlight, forming a perfect protective structure.

Lin Yue immersed his mind within, deducing the position of each star, the intensity of each beam of starlight, and each node of Spiritual Qi flow.

Under normal circumstances, fully comprehending this first Formation would require at least three months.

But with the Comprehension Ability boost from the star marrow wine, plus Hao Tian's assistance in deduction from the side... in merely three hours, he had completely mastered all variations of the first Formation!

"Second Formation: Star Track Shifting Array."

"Third Formation: Morning Light Evil-Dispelling Formation."

"Fourth Formation..."

Time flew by in deep comprehension.

When Lin Yue withdrew from the array diagram, it was already dawn on the third day.

He had continuously comprehended for twelve hours, completely mastering the first nine of the seventeen Formations and grasping seventy percent of the essence of the remaining eight.

Most importantly, he now had a systematic understanding of the star-related part of the 'Nine Heavens Demon Suppression Grand Array.'

"So that's how it is..."

Lin Yue murmured to himself, "The grand array uses nine spiritual pivots as its Foundation, star nodes as support, and the earth vein network as its connective tissue. The role of the star nodes is not only to provide energy but also to 'anchor' the grand array's position in the Void Realm, preventing the Spirit Devouring Clan from bypassing the array directly through spatial cracks to invade."

"And the reason the southern territory spiritual pivot is crucial is because there is a natural 'Void Realm weak point' here—likely where Burial Dragon Abyss is located. If this node is unstable, a gap will appear in the grand array."

He looked southward.

Star Radiance should currently be surveying the edge of Burial Dragon Abyss.

With her Star Gazing Pupil Technique, it would be impossible for her not to discover that 'Void Realm weak point.'

When she returns, she will inevitably mention this matter.

At that time, how should he respond?

"Master need not worry."

Hao Tian suddenly spoke, "Using my newly unlocked 'Karma Sensing' authority, I have vaguely deduced the possible course of events over the next three days."

"Oh? What is the result?"

"Star Radiance will return on the evening of the fourth day. She will bring two pieces of news: first, confirming the existence of 'star core fragments' and a 'Spirit Devouring Seal' in Burial Dragon Abyss; second, proposing a cooperative exploration."

Hao Tian paused, "And her bargaining chip for cooperation... is the 'Star Track Pavilion's star Legacy.'"

Lin Yue narrowed his eyes.

The Star Track Pavilion's Legacy... this was indeed one of the things he currently needed most.

With an orthodox star Legacy, he could openly use the Power of the Stars without worrying about suspicion.

More importantly, within the Star Track Pavilion's Legacy, there would certainly be methods for safely drawing upon and refining star core fragments.

"What does she want?"

"Thirty percent of Master's gains from Burial Dragon Abyss. Additionally, Luoxia City must fully cooperate with all Star Track Pavilion actions in the southern territory over the next three years—including but not limited to grand array deployment, star observation, and... dealing with any Spirit Devouring Clan members that might escape from the Seal in Burial Dragon Abyss."

What a large appetite.

Thirty percent of the gains was still manageable, but full cooperation with Star Track Pavilion actions... this meant Luoxia City would be somewhat constrained by others.

"Is there an option to refuse?"

"Yes, but the cost is greater."

Hao Tian's voice remained calm, "If cooperation is refused, Star Radiance will directly report the anomalies in Burial Dragon Abyss to the Seven Star Alliance. At that time, the Seven Star Alliance will likely dispatch Nascent Soul Cultivators to take over southern territory defense duties, and Luoxia City's autonomy will be significantly weakened."

"Moreover, once the existence of star core fragments is exposed, it will inevitably attract competition from various forces in the central region. With Luoxia City's current strength, it would be difficult to protect this Opportunity."

Choose the lesser of two evils.

Lin Yue pondered for a moment.

"Agree to her. But the terms must be changed: the gains will be split with her at twenty percent, and it must be 'her personally' who receives it, not attributed to the Star Track Pavilion. The scope of cooperative actions is limited to 'those related to resisting the Spirit Devouring Clan' and does not involve other Star Track Pavilion affairs."

"Additionally, she must provide the complete 'Foundation Establishment Stage to Golden Core Stage' star Cultivation Technique Legacy, as well as three 'Star Gazing Talismans'—the kind that can warn of star anomalies."

Bargaining.

Since cooperation was necessary, he had to strive for maximum benefit.

"I will incorporate these conditions into the deduction and recalculate feasibility."

Hao Tian closed his eyes for a moment.

"Success probability seventy percent. Star Radiance personally has a strong need for star core fragments, and she seems... either wary or curious about Master, willing to make certain concessions."

Wary? Curious?

Lin Yue recalled Star Radiance's starry eyes that could see through falsehoods.

This woman was indeed not simple.

"Then it's settled. Before she returns, we still have a day and a half to prepare."

Lin Yue stood up and walked toward the Artifact Refining area within his grotto-heaven.

There, Elder Lin Shi was leading several Disciples, attempting to forge starfall iron into Magic Treasure embryos.

"City Lord!"

Seeing Lin Yue arrive, Lin Shi hurriedly bowed, "The starfall iron you provided is of extremely high quality. We have preliminarily forged three embryos: a 'Star Shield,' a 'Star Sword,' and... a set of 'Star Pattern Inner Armor.'"

He pointed to the forging platform.

The Star Shield was hexagonal, with star patterns naturally formed on its surface, emitting a faint silver glow.

The Star Sword was three chi and three cun long, its blade as thin as a cicada's wing, with a Star Scar running along the spine from hilt to tip.

Most eye-catching was that set of inner armor—woven from hundreds of fingernail-sized starfall iron pieces, connected by threads melted from star sand, as thin and light as gauze, yet with faint starlight flowing within.

"Good items."

Lin Yue praised, "Leave the Star Shield and Star Sword for the Sharp Soldiers Camp, as standard equipment for future elite squads. The inner armor... I will handle it personally."

He picked up the Star Pattern Inner Armor and returned to beneath the World Tree.

"Hao Tian, use the 'Rule Bestowal' authority to imbue this inner armor with 'Star Origin Affinity' and 'Spirit Devourer Resistance.'"

"Understood."

The main trunk of Hao Tian trembled slightly, extending two root tendrils that gently wrapped around the inner armor.

Complex golden runes appeared on the surface of the roots, seeping like flowing water into every iron plate of the inner armor.

Half an hour later, the starlight on the inner armor's surface changed from silver to dark gold, with faint starry shadows flowing between the iron plates.

"Bestowal complete."

"Star Origin Affinity: The wearer can slightly increase the absorption efficiency of stellar spiritual power and enhance defense against stellar-type Spells."

"Spirit Devourer Resistance: Can resist up to thirty percent of the Spirit Devouring Clan's spiritual power devouring and corrosive effects."

Success.

Lin Yue changed into the inner armor.

The inner armor fit snugly against his skin, almost weightless, yet giving a warm and solid feeling.

More importantly, after putting on the inner armor, the circulation of the Power of the Stars within his body became noticeably smoother, and even the condensation speed of the starlight spiritual fluid in the Starfall Lake of the grotto-heaven increased by ten percent.

"Next, it's time to drink the second cup of star marrow wine."

Lin Yue took out the wine jar and poured the second cup.

This time, he did not drink it directly. Instead, he took out a 'spirit calming pill' from his storage ring and consumed it along with the wine.

The spirit calming pill was a third-grade Medicinal Pill refined by Elder Lin De, with effects of stabilizing the Divine Soul and preventing Qi Deviation.

Although the star marrow wine was effective, continuous consumption might overwhelm the Divine Soul. Combining it with the spirit calming pill minimized the risk.

As the wine entered his throat, a warm current rose again.

But this time, the sensation was completely different from the first.

The warm current no longer only surged into the Sea of Consciousness but split into two streams—one continued to nourish the Divine Soul, while the other... actually began to temper the Physical Body!

"This is..."

Lin Yue looked inward and was surprised to find that the stellar warm currents were permeating every inch of flesh and blood, every meridian, and every bone.

Under theflushing of the Power of the Stars, the flesh and blood became more resilient and more active.

The Meridians were widened, increasing the speed of spiritual power circulation.

On the surface of the bones, even fine star patterns began to appear!

"The second-stage effect of star marrow wine: Initial Formation of the Star Body."

Hao Tian explained, "The ancient lineage of Star Lords cultivated not only the Divine Soul and spiritual power but also the 'Star Body'. When this Physique reaches Major Achievement, the Physical Body can withstand Magic Treasures, and every movement carries the might of the stars."

"Although Master is only at the initial stage, the strength of the Physical Body has already been elevated to the Peak of the Middle Golden Core Stage, just a step away from the Late Stage."

Lin Yue clenched his fist.

At the tip of his fist, the air emitted a faint explosive sound.

Pure strength had increased by at least thirty percent!

And this was just the beginning.

If he could fully digest three cups of star marrow wine and continue tempering with the resources of the grotto-heaven, it might not be impossible to Cultivate a true Star Body in the future.

"Continue."

He did not stop, taking out the Star Array Diagram to begin comprehending the tenth array.

With the experience from the first time, the comprehension speed was faster this time.

In just two hours, he had completely mastered the tenth to thirteenth arrays.

And his Divine Soul, nourished by the second cup of star marrow wine, had firmly stabilized at the Late Golden Core Stage level, with the star mark becoming even clearer.

"One last cup remains."

Lin Yue looked at the wine jar.

But he did not consume it immediately.

Continuous advancement required time for consolidation; otherwise, the Foundation would become unstable, which would be counterproductive.

"Hao Tian, deduce the optimal timing for me to consume the third cup of star marrow wine."

"Suggestion: Three days later, after the effects of the first two cups are fully digested and Master's cultivation is consolidated to the Peak of the Middle Golden Core Stage. At that time, combined with the newly condensed starlight spiritual fluid from Starfall Lake, there is a seventy percent probability of directly breaking through to the Late Golden Core Stage."

Three days later... that would be around the time Star Radiance returns.

"Good, then three days later it is."

Lin Yue put away the wine jar and began to consolidate his cultivation.

He circulated the 'Seven Stars Refining Origin Art', a Cultivation Technique from the central region found in Black Fiend Lotus Venerable's storage ring. Although it was an Incomplete Manual, it pointed directly to the Late Golden Core Stage, perfectly suited for his current stage of cultivation.

The Spiritual Qi in the grotto-heaven was dense, and with the assistance of the starlight spiritual fluid from Starfall Lake, his cultivation speed advanced by leaps and bounds.

Time passed slowly in cultivation.

On the evening of the fourth day.

At the north gate of Luoxia City, three beams of starlight arrived as scheduled.

Star Radiance returned with her two Senior Brothers.

Compared to when they left, the expressions of all three were somewhat grave, especially Star Dust and Star Sea, whose eyes even held a trace of barely concealed fatigue.

Clearly, the journey to Burial Dragon Abyss had not been easy.

"Star Envoy, you've worked hard."

Lin Yue personally went out to greet them. "Did you gain anything?"

Star Radiance glanced at him, and the flow of stars in her eyes paused slightly.

"City Lord Lin... you've made significant progress in these three days."

She had noticed.

Lin Yue did not hide it: "Just a slight comprehension, not worth mentioning. Star Envoy, please come inside."

In the council hall, only Lin Yue and Star Radiance were present.

Star Dust and Star Sea were arranged to rest in a side hall, with Lin Yue specifically instructing Elder Lin De to serve them the best spiritual tea and Medicinal Pills to aid their recovery.

"Let's get straight to the point."

Star Radiance sat down and said directly, "Burial Dragon Abyss indeed has star core fragments, and not just one. But that place... is also the 'Prison' where a branch of the Spirit Devouring Clan's army was sealed ten thousand years ago."

She took out a Memory Stone and infused it with spiritual power.

Images appeared within the stone—

In a bottomless chasm, black mist churned. Within the mist, faintly visible were massive skeletal remains and... some twisted, wriggling black shadows.

Those shadows had no fixed form, sometimes condensing into beast shapes, sometimes dispersing into mist, but without exception, they all emitted a heart-palpitating devouring aura.

"Spirit Devouring Imprisoned Soldiers. Although sealed for ten thousand years, with less than ten percent of their strength remaining, the weakest have combat power at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, and the strongest... are probably close to Nascent Soul."

Star Radiance put away the Memory Stone and looked at Lin Yue.

"The Seal has already begun to loosen. At most a year, they will break out. When that happens, the southern territory will bear the brunt."

Lin Yue remained silent for a moment.

"How does the Star Envoy wish to cooperate?"

"I need you to help me retrieve at least one star core fragment."

Star Radiance said seriously, "In exchange, I can give you the complete Legacy of the Star Track Pavilion's 'Star Pivot Academy'—from Qi Refining to Golden Core, including three stellar Spells, two sets of Star Array Diagrams, and a 'Star Gazing Token'."

"The Star Gazing Token allows you to enjoy a thirty percent discount on resource exchanges at all Star Track Pavilion outposts and grants one 'Stellar Deduction' Opportunity per month."

The terms were even more favorable than Lin Yue had anticipated.

But he knew that precisely indicated the danger of the mission.

"Retrieving the star core fragments requires delving into the core area of Burial Dragon Abyss. With my current strength..."

"I will go with you."

Star Radiance interrupted him, "My two Senior Brothers will provide support on the periphery, setting up a 'Star Lock Grand Array' to Seal the exit and prevent the Spirit Devouring Imprisoned Soldiers from escaping. You only need to break through the 'Star Miasma' surrounding the star core and retrieve the fragments."

She paused: "I know you have mastered some stellar secret technique that has a restraining effect on Star Miasma. That is also why I chose to cooperate with you."

So that was it.

Lin Yue understood in his heart.

What Star Radiance valued was his ability to channel the Power of the Stars.

"How much can I get?"

"For the star core fragments, I get seventy percent, you get thirty percent. But aside from that, all other gains in Burial Dragon Abyss belong to you—including those ancient Dragon Clan remains, any possible Dragon Clan Legacies, and the 'Spirit Cores' left behind after the Spirit Devouring Imprisoned Soldiers are purified."

Spirit Cores, the power cores of the Spirit Devouring Clan, contained pure spiritual power. Having been sealed for ten thousand years, most of their corrosive evil nature had dissipated, making them excellent cultivation resources.

This distribution... was relatively fair.

"When do we depart?"

"In ten days."

Star Radiance said, "I need time to prepare some Formation-breaking Magical Artifacts, and you... also need to further improve your strength."

She looked at Lin Yue, a hint of deeper meaning flashing in her eyes.

"In ten days, I hope to see you with combat power at the Late Golden Core Stage. Otherwise, entering would be suicide."

After saying this, she stood up and left.

Lin Yue sat in the hall, lost in thought for a long time.

In ten days, Late Golden Core Stage... with the third cup of star marrow wine and the resources of the grotto-heaven, it might be possible.

But more crucially, he needed a Magic Treasure that could restrain the Spirit Devouring Clan.

The star-patterned inner armor only provided resistance, which was not enough.

He remembered the Bronze Coffin he had seen in the underground palace.

The resting place of the Star Lord might... have what he needed.

"It seems I'll have to take a risk."

Lin Yue stood up and walked again toward the main hall of the city lord's manor.

The third trial of the underground palace: Spirit Devourer Sword Test.

He had to attempt it.